MANCHESTER UNITED
PATHETIC: Erik ten Hag dealing with the same old issue : Bruno Fernandes blasted after Man United loss to Fulham
PATHETIC: Erik ten Hag dealing with the same old issue : Bruno Fernandes blasted after Man United loss to Fulham
Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes was on the end of some criticism from his own fans after Saturday’s disastrous 2-1 home defeat by Fulham for what looked like feiging an injury
In the eyes of many, Erik ten Hag has not made enough improvement at Manchester United since he was named as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s permanent successor.
The Dutchman is still having to deal with plenty of issues that plagued his predcessor, one of which is the conduct of Bruno Fernandes. Ten Hag has, if anything, placed even more faith in the Portugal international than Solskjaer, given it was Ten Hag who named Fernandes as club captain at the start of the season.
The attacking midfielder has not exactly repaid the faith that was shown in him, with the current campaign arguably Fernandes’ most underwhelming one in a United shirt from an individual perspective. He has just three league goals to his name this term, the most recent of which came nearly four months ago away at Fulham.
To make matters worse, he is still guilty of some of the lesser attractive parts of the game that saw him criticised while Solskjaer was still at the helm. Back in 2020, after a dodgy dive away at Tottenham, then-boss Solskjaer was urged to “have a word” with the former Sporting star to prevent any repeat incidents.
“Bruno Fernandes was the best player on the pitch for Manchester United against Tottenham on Friday,” ex-Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy told the Daily Mail. “But if you hate diving with a passion like I do, he has to be called out for conning referee Jonathan Moss by leaning into Eric Dier and then falling over.
“But no matter how good you are or how well you speak off the pitch, if you make a habit of trying to win penalties and free-kicks, you won’t be admired in the same way. At Spurs, he deserved a yellow card for his tumble and as a fan of his I don’t want to see him start doing that.
“I’m sure Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will have a word with him about it, and he should do.”
If Solskjaer did, it clearly hasn’t done the trick, as nearly four years down the line Fernandes is facing criticism for the same sort of antics – only this time, the backlash is coming from his own supporters. During Saturday’s dismal 2-1 home defeat by Fulham, the 29-year-old was up to his old tricks.
After having a shot saved by Bernd Leno, Fernandes was caught feigning injury as replays showed minimal contact was made by Fulham midfielder Sasa Lukic. He was quickly told to get up by referee Michael Oliver and eventually did, but only once it was clear no free-kick was going to be given and United were still on the attack.
A large number of United fans voiced their frustrations with Fernandes online after a clip of the exchange went viral. One Red Devils supporter wrote: “Normally a big Bruno fan but this is PATHETIC.”
Another added: “As a United supporter I can almost see why so many people say Bruno isn’t fit to be captain. I just think he’s really passionate though.”
One fan claimed: “Manchester United should better give back the captain armband to Maguire before they regret it.” Another simply declared: ” Bruno Fernandes is embarrassing….”
This may be an issue Ten Hag feels he has to address internally, though in truth the Dutchman has bigger problems at the moment, as United languish in sixth eight points adrift of fourth spot.
MANCHESTER UNITED
“That particular player was the reason we sacked Erik ten Hag and I have warned Ruud van Nistelrooy to avoid using him.
“That particular player was the reason we sacked Erik ten Hag and I have warned Ruud van Nistelrooy to avoid using him, If he breached the instructions then it will be over for him also”: Sir Jim Ratchliffe warns new Man United’s manager to avoid using ONE player who was the reason Erik ten Hag was sacked
Erik ten Hag has become the fifth Man United manager to be sacked in the last decade with the new club chiefs left unimpressed with his results this calendar year.
The Dutchman won two trophies in two seasons but guided United to their lowest Premier League finish last term. He was kept on by the new board this summer following an end-of-season review.”
However, having won just three of his first nine league games this campaign, Ten Hag has been relieved of his duties after 128 games as manager. Step-in caretaker Ruud van Nistelrooy takes charge while a permanent successor is sourced.
Van Nistelrooy becomes the ninth different figure – temporary or permanent – to lead the club since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013. He follows Ryan Giggs, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick in being among the Scot’s former players to take charge of United.
Earlier this month, Sir Jim Ratcliffe informed Ferguson that he would be relinquishing his role of club ambassador at the end of the season. It is thought the move is part of his cost-cutting exercises at the club, having already sanctioned the redundancies of 250 staff members this year.
However, the 72-year-old – who wishes to see United build a new 100,000-seater Old Trafford – has made clear that decisions regarding the first-team manager are not within his remit.
Asked about the future of Ten Hag earlier this month, Ratcliffe deflected: “I like Erik. I think he’s a very good coach but at the end of the day it’s not my call, it’s the management team that’s running Manchester United that have to decide how we best run the team in many different respects.”
Ratcliffe oversaw a revamp of the United boardroom this summer, with old figures ushered out and new top brass headhunted. Former Manchester City chief Omar Berrada was announced as the club’s new CEO in January while technical director Jason Wilcox was pinched from Southampton.
United had to fork out compensation to Newcastle United when acquiring sporting director Dan Ashworth, who insisted that the decision to keep Ten Hag was made before his summer arrival. United will lose around £17million in sacking compensation to Ten Hag.
Ineos sporting chief Sir Dave Brailsford and Ineos CEO Jean-Claude Blanc are also on the board while Christopher Vivell sits as director of global talent.
While clarifying his role in the managerial turnover process, Ratcliffe urged the boardroom to “to take stock and make some sensible decisions,” having “not been there a long time.”
He underscored: “Our objective is very clear – we want to take Manchester United back to where it should be, and it’s not there yet, obviously – that’s very clear.”
MANCHESTER UNITED
Club statement…
Club statement…
Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager.
Erik was appointed in April 2022 and led the club to two domestic trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.
We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future.
Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the team as interim head coach, supported by the current coaching team, whilst a permanent head coach is recruited.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Ten Hag out!! Predicted Man United line up under Xavi Hernandez – as INEOS set to sack Ten Hag if He fails to deliver West Ham game tomorrow
Ten Hag out!! Predicted Man United line up under Xavi Hernandez – as INEOS set to sack Ten Hag if He fails to deliver West Ham game tomorrow
Barcelona legend Xavi has made his stance on Manchester United clear amid reports linking him as a possible replacement for Erik ten Hag as manager at Old Trafford. Ten Hag is under mounting pressure following a lackluster start to the season, with his side winning only three of their first eight Premier League matches.
This disappointing run has fueled speculation about his future, and names like former England manager Gareth Southgate, Brentford boss Thomas Frank, and Xavi have all surfaced as potential replacements.
Xavi’s thoughts on Manchester United have resurfaced from a past interview, providing some insight into his view of the club.
Speaking after Barcelona’s Europa League tie against Manchester United in 2023, the former Barca midfielder expressed respect for the Red Devils and praised Ten Hag for the progress he had made with the team. “I think Manchester is coming back, and they showed their best,” Xavi said in an interview with TNT Sport. “We need to be proud.
I think both teams are more or less in the same moment, in the same position, that we are coming back. I said to Ten Hag now, ‘Congratulations,’ because he’s doing very well and they are Manchester United.”
Xavi’s remarks reflected his belief that both Barcelona and United were in periods of rebuilding, with the potential to reestablish themselves as top contenders in Europe.
He even hinted that future meetings between the two clubs could happen in the latter stages of the Champions League. His praise for United and Ten Hag has now taken on new relevance as discussions about his potential move to the Premier League intensify.
Reports have emerged suggesting that Manchester United CEO Omar Berrada traveled to Spain for two rounds of talks with Xavi to explore the possibility of bringing him to Old Trafford.
However, it seems that Xavi, who is currently enjoying some time away from the game, is not interested in cutting his break short. According to the Spanish newspaper AS, the 44-year-old has no intention of returning to management just yet, even if it means passing up a significant opportunity with a club as prestigious as Manchester United.
Meanwhile, Ten Hag has addressed the ongoing rumors surrounding his job, expressing frustration with the media’s portrayal of his situation. Before United’s recent 2-1 win over Brentford, Ten Hag dismissed the speculation, calling it “noise” created by the press. “Noise is only coming from some of you [media], creating stories and fairytales, bringing lies,” he said.
Ten Hag emphasized that while the team is unhappy with its current position in the league, they remain calm and confident in their plan. He assured that despite the speculation, he believes success will come under his leadership.
The situation leaves Manchester United in a state of uncertainty, with Ten Hag fighting to keep his position amid a difficult run of form, while Xavi, one of the names floated as a possible successor, seems uninterested in taking over at this time. As rumors continue to swirl, both the club and its fans await further developments.
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